PN Dockyard (Karachi) Pakistan Naval Dockyard

There are some defence Production organizations and complexes that do not come
under the MODP, but coordinate their defence Production activities with MODP in the
field of conventional defence equipment. The PN Dockyard which is a fairly
comprehensive naval construction and rebuild facility. The Pakistan Navy (PN)
Dockyard, since its inception in 1952, has been undertaking repair works,
modernisation and rebuild of Pakistan Navy Ships, Submarines and Crafts. Pakistan
Navy Dockyard is providing technical assistance, rebuild and repair of a wide range
and diversity of equipment of PN Fleet and has undertaken fleet modernisation and
up gradation programmes with success. PN Dockyard has developed the capability to
undertake ambitious and indigenous construction projects like the production of
Missiles Boats, Mines Counter Measure Vessel (MCMV) and AGOSTA 90-B Submarine.

After the independence, Pakistan Navy has come a long way from a small flotilla of
ships to a complete fleet acquiring vessels of different variety from East and
West. Pakistan Navy now consists of fully modernized ships with state of the art
equipment and weapon system, latest conventional submarines, state of art MCMVs and
indigenously built missile boats, fast patrol crafts and midgets submarines.

PN Dockyard is fully geared-up to meet the maintenance needs of the Pakistani

Fleet. Continued modernization of dockyard workshops to keep pace with the change
of technology and induction of system of PN platforms has been the strength of PN
planners.

With indigenous construction work in progress the Pakistan Navy has inducted into
the fleet several indigenously constructed missile/gun boats and mine-hunters, all
of which have been sea-proven and cost effective. PN Dockyard since its inception
in 1947 has been undertaking repair works, modernization and rebuild of PN ships &
crafts. The keel of present PN Dockyard was formally laid on 27 Sep 1952.

The first major construction work commenced in 1971 with the building of a floating
dock. PN Dockyard has developed tremendous capabilities to undertake warship
construction projects and extensive rebuild work of the fleet. PN Dockyard has the
capability to undertake ambitious indigenous construction projects for building
missile boat, MCMV and Agosta 90B. It possesses the know how to design and
manufacture these craft as per international shipbuilding practices and quality
standards not only to meet the requirement of Pakistan Navy but can also offer the
same to friendly navies competitively.

It was engaged in more than a billion dollar project of MODP for construction of
Agosta 90-B submarines with the help of France. With regard to construction of
submarines, PN received its first Agosta 90-B class submarine from France. The
second submarine was constructed at PN Dockyard and handed over to PN at the end of
2003. The third submarine was undocked by November 2006. With this venture Pakistan
has entered the Coterie of few nations that have the wherewithal and the technical
know how to build submarines. These submarines could also have export potential.

Submarine Construction in Pakistan Navy is a continuation of the naval construction

efforts, which started in Pakistan Navy Dockyard in 1971 for self-reliance and
indigenisation. It includes construction of floating docks, missile boats, X-Craft
submarines and MCMVs. PN Dockyard had 30 years of repair & maintenance experience
of DAPHNE and AGOSTA 70 submarines prior undertaking Meta construction project of
AGOSTA-90B submarines in 1994.

Another benefit of this project is a changed quality culture and work methodology.
ISO 9002 standard was awarded to PN Dockyard in Nov 1997, the first defence
industrial setup to receive this prestigious certification. Presently PN Dockyard
is certified to the requirements of ISO 9001-2000 Standard.
While Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works is fully capable of constructing both
commercial as well as military craft of all sizes, in the early 1980s PN Dockyard
also undertook limited construction of small to medium size ships. Indigenous
construction of modern OPVs, Missile Boats, state of the art MCMVs and above all
Agosta 90B submarine has put PN on the road of self - reliance. Retrofitting of
modern ships and submarines at PN Dockyard is providing cost effective maintenance
to the fleet units.

Being a four - dimension service, PN also maintains a strong air arm. PNS Mehran
has maintenance facilities for maritime patrol aircrafts and helicopters including
training simulator available for use by friendly countries.

Pakistan Navy took yet another major step on the road to self reliance by inducting
the 2nd indigenously built Agosta class submarine HAMZA in its fleet. The submarine
was the first ever conventional submarine in the world equipped with MESMA, an Air
Independent Propulsion (AlP) system, which enhances its ability to remain submerged
for extended duration thus increasing the threat potential against the enemy.

The commissioning ceremony was held at PN Dockyard. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza
Gilani graced the occasion as chief guest. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad
Afzal Tahir and a number of senior naval officers, foreign delegate, reps of DCN
France and civil dignitaries were also present on the occasion. Addressing the
ceremony, the guest said that Pakistan navy in recent years has exhibited deep
commitment for achieving self reliance in support of the government policies. The
indigenous construction of Agosta 90-B submarines and future Ships program is a
testimony of the professional competence and skills of our sea guardians. The
induction of Submarine Hamza would certainly give Pakistan Navy g qualitative edge
over the adversary, he added. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the
government of France for their support in this transfer of technology project and
said that commissioning of submarine Hamza signifies close cooperation between the
two great nations. He also appreciated the efforts and commitment of both Pakistan
and French team of engineers, technicians and workers in making the project a
success.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir in his address congratulated the
officers and men of submarine construction department and DCN France personnel for
their excellent performance towards fulfillment of this milestone. In his welcome
address Commander Logistics Rear Admiral Bakhtiar Mohsin highlighted salient
features of Agosta 90-8 submarine construction project. He apprised that in
September 1994 a contract was signed with DCN! of France to build three Agosta
class submarines. As per the contract, the first submarine was completely built in
France and joined PN fleet in December 1999 as PNS/M KHALID. The second submarine
was launched on 24th August 2002 and was commissioned as PNS/M SAAD on 12 December
2003. He said that the third and the last submarine of this series 'HAMZA' was
completely built in Pakistan envisaging the maximum transfer of technology.

Submarine Hamza is the most advanced version of Agosta design. It is 76 meter long
and weighs around 2000 tonnes. Its range is 10000 nautical miles and can remain at
sea continuously for 60 days. It is equipped with the state of the art combat
system Le SUBTICS (Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System). It is capable of
firing. SM-39 Exocet missile and wire guided torpedoes.

The Agosta 90-8 project is a golden chapter in the history of Pakistan as the
country is now among the very few nations of the world who are capable of
constructing these complex platforms. The project has also brought a new culture of
project management, quality control and engineering practices in Pakistan Navy.
Success of this project has provided Pakistan the skills, infrastructure and given
the tremendous confidence to continue construction of submarine for future
operational and strategic needs.